vsor. 


ocial  Lif'?   of  Heav^3nly   .Spheres 


^ 


Ivirs".   M.    J.   Uph^in  HpnriRe 


n 


AT   LOS  ANGELES 


ROBERT  ERNEST  COWAN 


THE 


SOCIAL  LIFE 


o  I- 


HEAVENLY  SPHERES. 


i;  V 


MARY    WASHINGTON, 


SAN    FRANCISCO,    CAL, 

18  79. 


L 


THE 


SOCIAL  LIFE 


O  F 


HEAVENLY  SPHERES. 


BY 


MARY   WASHINGTON. 


SAN    FRANCISCO,    CAL. 

18  79. 


PREFACE. 


In  giving  this  third  message  from  the  Washington  family  to  the  world,  it 
may  be  proper  to  add  a  few  lines. 

Early  in  A^^gust,  1876,  while  calling  upon  Mrs.  M.  J.  Upham  Hendee,  of 
San  Francisco,  a  lady,  who  for  twenty  years  has  toiled  as  an  instrument  of 
the  angel-world,  Washington  controlled,  and  in  substance  said,  that  his 
mother,  Mary,  was  anxious  to  give  a  message  to  the  children  of  earth.  Con- 
senting to  assist  the  spirit-world  by  sitting  for  this  message,  Mrs.  Hendee, 
in  my  presence,  in  twenty-one  sittings,  in  a  semi-unconscious  condition, 
wrote  the  contents  of  this  little  volume,  impressed  by  the  spirit  of  Mary 
AVashington,  word  by  word. 

This,  with  that  of  her  son's,  and  Martha  Washington's  already  given  to 
the  world,  open  to  us  the  gates  of  heaven,  so  that  at  least  we  can  behold 
the  realties  of  a  tangible,  spiritual  world.  A  world  of  which  poets  have  sung, 
priests  have  talked;  about  which  kings,  and  queens,  and  popes  have  com- 
pelled theii-  subjects  to  war;  even  "God  hath  written  a  book"  of  over  three 
millions,  five  hundred  thousand  letters,  and  yet,  never  wrote  one  line  of 
where  was  heaven,  or  where  was  hell.  He  also  "hath  sent  His  Son  to  die 
for  man,"  but  who  in  thirty  years  told  us  not  where  those  "mansions"  were, 
save  as  the  Indian  speaks  of  "happy  hunting  groiands."  And  in  all  the 
millions  of  years  since  "the  morning  stars  sang  together,"  from  Gods,  an- 
gels or  men,  not  a  score  of  years  have  passed,  since  man  could  give  a  rea- 
son why  he  should  live  again. 

But  now,  by  the  teachings  of  those  once  dwellers  on  earth,  men,  women 
and  children  like  ourselves,  we  have  learned  the  location  of  the  spirit- world, 
its  geography — learned  of  its  houses,  societies,  occupations  of  the  inhabi- 
tants— learned  of  the  spiritual  body,  its  means  of  existence,  manner  of 
conversation,  travel  and  communication  with  earth  and  other  planets — 
learned  of  the  manner  of  separation  of  soul  and  body — how  the  spirit  is 
received  and  cared  for — but  the  most  important  of  all  that  we  have  learned 
is,  that  the  conceptions  of  God  were  perfect,  and  that  in  the  fiiUness  of 

time,  a^;S  Uiitttbi  of-  nece?s5.tV  to  Hj^  own  perfection,  all"  of  His  creations 

'  .  >■■      •■  •    '■;      'It'-'        •   '  "'.      -       ...''.. 

must  come  into  a  condition  of  comparative  perfection  and  happmesS,  m  har- 
mony-with  fitcTP.ai,fa$\\  '    ■'      ','•  ''•'■'.•.*•,",      e  '  -'   * 

San  Fkancisco,  Cal.,  February,  1879.  T.  B.  CLAEKE. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congreiss  in  the  year  187.9, 
By  Thomas  Bbownell  Clarke, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  G. 


3^ 


U3 
CO 
era 


aa 


C3 


I  ^ 


THE 


J 


SECTION  FIRST. 


My  dear  earthly  friends,  gUcikded  by  the  love  that  is 
due  to  humanity,  I  come  in  accordance  with  a  promise 
from  my  beloved  son  a  few  years  ago,  that  I  would  give 
my  testimony  to  this  glorious  truth  of  life  beyond  the 
grave  in  a  continued  knowledge  and  progress  by  intelligent 
and  individual  souls  who  have  changed  the  sphere  of  life 
physicid  for  one  spiritual  and  eternal.  The  great  advent 
of  spiritual  light  and  knowledge  to  the  world  of  mortals 
will  bring  a  joyful  awakeniug  to  a  sleeping  world.  Un- 
certainty is  death  to  all  the  finer  and  nobler  intuitions  of 
the  soul;  consequently  on  becoming  fully  convinced  as  to 
the  truth  of  our  reality  and  power  to  come  to  you  as  living 
ideatities,  will  establish  a  different  code  of  laws  by  which 
mankind  will  be  governed.  There  will  be  a  full  recogni- 
tion of  a  power  above  to  restrain  from  evil.  As  spiritual- 
ism is  imperfectly  understood,  to-day — it  is  supposed  by 
many  that  there  is  nothing  to  fear  in  the  future,  as  all  are 
supposed  to  be  saved;  but  I  would  say  to  all  that  they 
will  reap  just  such  an  harvest  as  they  prepare  the  ground 
and  seed  for.  Christ's  teachings  were  very  perfect  as  we 
see  them  to-day — "that  they  who  sow  by  the  wayside  will 
reap  thistles  and  tares" — but  well-doing  and  an  earnest  de- 
sire for  right  will  bring  its  own  reward.  The  glorious 
truths  which  await  the  coming  generations  of  earth  from 
the  now  invisible  world  will  become  plainer,  and  a  full 
comprehension  of  knowledge  in  regard  to  life  and  its  prin- 
ciples will  be  attained.  Facts  are  really  becoming  es- 
tablished between  the  two  worlds,  as  the  advancement  of 
knowledge  gives  them  power  to  test  this  great  question 
which  has  so  long  hindered  the  world  as  to  the  literal 
meaning  of  God,  the  Devil,  Heaven  and  Hell,  and  the 
uncertainty  with  which  the  world  is  held  in  regard  to  their 
future  existence. 

The  network  which  has  been  woven  by  the  superstitious 
and  designing  upon  ignorant  and  down-trodden  humanity, 
formed  a  barrier  that  at   one  time  was   perfectly  impreg- 


nable  to  the  spiritual  influences  of  higher  spheres.  Many 
attempts  have  been  made  to  awaken  mortals  to  the  truth 
of  spirit -life  and  its  glorious  surroundings,  but  every  ap- 
proach of  the  spirit  to  earth  to  meet  its  loved  ones  only 
doomed  them  to  a  greater  dread,  as  all  approach  of  spirits 
were  considered  harbingers  of  woe  or  death  to  some  of 
their  friends.  Thus  was  every  avenue  cut  off  by  and 
through  which  a  communication  could  be  made  to  destroy 
the  dread  and  fear  of  a  spiritual  intercourse,  that  could 
be  fully  received  as  coming  from  those  they  supposed 
dead,  uncertainty  of  their  future,  whether  in  Hell  suffer- 
ing the  torments  of  the  damned  or  in  Heaven  with  the 
blest,  and  so  remote  as  never  to  return  to  earth;  thus  cut- 
ting off  all  communication  with  every  loved  being  who 
had  preceded  them,  and  confining  all  worship  to  the  God- 
head through  the  Son,  Jesus  Christ. 

But  the  united  effort  of  spirits  to  break  through  and 
awaken  thought  touched  a  chord  of  response  at  a  time 
and  through  a  channel  that  could  not  be  mistaken,  and 
gained  a  hold  that  could  not  be  severed. 

By  degrees  nearly  every  phase  has  been  tested,  until 
the  forces  are  nearly  complete.  Minds  have  been  aroused 
who  are  scientific  both  in  this  world  and  in  the  spheres, 
and  it  will  not  be  long  before  a  perfect  knowledge  of  our 
spirit  realm  and  its  beautiful  surroundings  will  be  so  well 
understood,  that  doubts  will  no  longer  fill  the  miud^  of 
men  as  to  the  certainty  or  uncertainty  of  our  spiritual 
abode,  as  a  real  and  beautiful  home,  where  the  ascended 
spirit  is  received  and  cared  for  by  the  loved  ones  who 
have  preceded. 

Our  spiritual  home  has  its  spheres  or  belts  which  sur- 
round and  separate  each  from  the  other,  or  it  may  be 
called  chemical  atmosphere,  causing  a  separation  from 
earth  and  from  each  sphere,  yet  being  connected  by  elec- 
tric and  magnetic  foices.  To  explain,  we  are,  as  you 
have  been  told  by  other  spirits,  in  separate  spheres,  with 
spaces  intersecting  each  other — every  space  supplied  with 
matter  to  sustain  elements  necessary  for  the  requirement 
of  such  circle  or  sphere.  Those  who  are  within  a  certain 
sphere  are  surrounded  by  a  belt,  holding  them  absolutely 
aloof  from  others— none  passing,  only  through  permission 
or  aid  of  guides  who  deem  them  sufliciently  harmonized 
to  adapt  themselves  to  the  laws  of  that  sphere. 

I  do  not  wish  to  convey  the  idea  that  they  are  all  of  one 
mind  or  talent — for  they  are  as  varied  in  organization, 
talent  or  aspirations  as  the  flowers  of  the  field — but  they 
are  all  on  the  plane  of  spirituality  as  one,  or  a  band  or 
class.  As  they  become  prepared  to  enter  another  sphere, 
they  are  ushered  into  the  next  higher  with  great  rejoicing. 


where  they  are  received  and  accorded  their  position,  pre- 
paratory to  a  still  higher  nnfoldmont.  In  our  return  to 
the  earth-plane,  we  gather,  little  by  little,  sweet  thoughts 
and  blessings,  with  ^vliich  we  surround  ourselves,  and 
make  our  presence  understood  and  felt,  for  it  is  a  pleasure 
to  us,  I  assure  you,  to  know  that  we  have  been  fully 
recognized.  We  love  earth  as  a  mother,  and  cannot  bre:ik 
the  link  that  binds  us  to  her,  and  as  we  are  brought  into 
her  atmosphere,  let  us  not  dread  the  recognition  by  un- 
pleasant associations  of  our  former  life,  for  here  is  where 
so  much  misunderstanding  arises,  by  the  variety  of  des- 
cription given.  Those  who  have  been  led  to  dark  and 
wicked  lives,  while  here,  dread  to  return  for  fear  of  the 
conditions  that  once  surrounded  them.  If  mortals  could 
only  see  their  true  condition,  they  would  not  stumble  so 
often;  but  the  work  of  redemption  must  go  on,  and  the  angel 
world  has  to  come  to  the  rescue  to  bring  mortals  up  to  a 
higher  knowledge  of  their  true  lives  and  duties  upon 
earth.  This  world  is  whore  mankind  must  commence  the 
studies  of  self,  both  physically  and  spiritually;  the  grand 
chain  is  unbroken,  but .  do  not  let  it  rust  on  the  earth 
plane,  so  that  it  cannot  revolve  and  elevate  you  in  its 
scale  of  change  in  your  nobler  and  higher  duties  and  des- 
tinies. They  truly  seem  as  one  linked  in  each  other,  that 
at  times,  the  spiiit  only  feels  itself  to  be  mortal,  and  not 
until  it  attempts  to  control  its  organism  in  moving  material 
bodies,  does  it  realize  the  fact  of  the  change.  AH  things 
are  changing  rapidly,  and  the  wonderful  knowledge  gained 
within  the  last  century,  has  startled  the  world  with  its  new 
and  wonderful  revelation  of  truths  and  recognition  of  our 
departed  friends,  through  the  different  phases  given  by 
the  different  media.  My  position  or  sphere  of  action  is  a 
teacher  or  mother  to  those  who  have  faltered  and  grown 
weary  through  long  life  toils  and  bewildering  teachings 
regarding  this  beautiful  world. 

I  find  much  joy  in  being  enabled  to  assist  those  who 
seem  lost,  by  strengthening  and  encouraging  them.  After 
coming  to  this  home,  I  could  not  understand  the  meaning 
of  Death;  I  Avas  dead  and  yet  alive,  and  though  absent, 
still  ]n-esent  with  my  loved  ones  on  earth,  but  could  not 
make  myself  known  to  them.  I  struggled  fearfully  to 
gather  sufficient  strength  to  speak  audibly,  but  could  not. 
Though  comprehending  all  things,  yet  was  I  powerless  to 
make  myself  known.  At  that  time  I  knew  nothing  of 
spirits'  return  to  earth,  and  could  not  fully  realize  my  con- 
dition. I  thought  of  all  my  religious  teachings.  Where 
was  God  and  Jesus?  Would  they  forsake  me?  Was  I 
really  dead,  or  was  it  all  a  frightenetl  dream?  Until  sud- 
denly I  became  aroused  to  a  knowledge  that  I  was  not 


6 

alone,  and  that  others  were  with  me.  I  &aw  that  they  were 
those  who  had  passed  from  earth  while  I  yet  lived,"  and  I 
realized  that  I  was  changed  but  not  dead.  What  a  revul- 
sion of  feeling  came  over  me;  was  It  really  true  that  I 
should  continue  this  knowledge  and  individuality  of  my- 
self, and  were  all  my  earthly  teachings  errors  that  misled, 
causing  a  fear,  a  dread,  an  uncertainty  of  this  life,  which 
seemed  nothing  like  what  had  been  taught  me;  that  the 
wicked  were  lost  and  an  eternal  torture,  awaited  them 
without  redemption?  A  bewildering  sense  of  joy  over- 
powered me,  for  I  felt  a  gradual  light  dawning  upon  my 
bewildered  senses;  I  realized  that  I  was  surrounded  by 
those  who  had  been  long  in  the  spirit  realm, and  who,  I  felt, 
could  give  me  a  truthful  knowledge  of  my  present  sur- 
rounding. 

As  I  gathered  strength  to  comprehend  my  condition,  I 
asked  for  the  truth,  when  they  gave  me  their  own  experi- 
ence of  being  ushered  into  spirit-life.  As  a  babe  is  born 
into  earth  with  all  its  weaknesses,  so  we,  until  clothed 
upon  with  spiritual  garments,  are  sustained  by  the  spirit 
band  who  awaits  our  coming,  and  attend  us  until  suffi- 
ciently strengthened  to  assure  our  own  control. 

Many  times  spirits  are  brought  to  earth  to  gather  forces 
sufficient  to  strengthen  the  spiritual  body,  to  retain  its 
magnetic  chord,  which  will  ever  sustain  and  keep  it  enrap- 
loort  with  earthly  friends  and  earthly  conditions. 

In  following  my  guide,  I  often  times  stopped  to  wonder 
at  the  strange  and  bdautiful  scenes  until,  I  would  clasp 
my  hands  with  -joy  and  thank  God  for  all  these  blessings, 
and  to  me  glorious  revelations  so  dififereut  from  what  my 
soul  had  pictured  of  heaven. 

This  was  no  walled  city,  no  remote  place,  but  gorgeous 
with  beautiful  scenes,  so  like  earth  in  her  happiest  moods 
and  most  lovely  places. 

The  ejQ  could  never  tire,  or  the  soul  faint,  yet  wonder 
and  astonishment  would  hold  me  in  their  embrace  at  the 
strangeness  and  beauty,  yet  wonderful  adaptation  to  the 
wants  of  spirit-life  so  singularly  near  to  our  earthly  desires. 
How  like  my  earthly  home  I  would  say,  as  some  strangely 
familiar  scene  would  meet  my  gaze.  My  guide,  tarrying 
as  we  went,  told  me  that  all  the  scenery  and  conditions  on 
this  plane,  were  nearly  allied  to  earth,  as  it  was  more  con- 
genial, and  better  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  a  spirit 
who  had  recently  left  earth— for  the  change  must  be  gradual 
to  retain  the  strength,  and  hold  the  identity  of  our  indi- 
vidualized condition. 

When  a  full  comprehension  of  the  surroundings  had 
been  given,  and  the  duties  understood,  I  was  told' that  I 
should  pass  through  another  sphere,  and  so  on  to  others 


yet  beyond;  all  controled  by  one  universal  power  of  love 
and  wisdom. 

The  scenery  was  beautifully  diversified  by  mountains, 
valleys,  oceans,  lakes  and  rivers,  with  a  lieavenly  atmos- 
phere— an  arch  of  l)lue  Avith  tieecy  clouds,  moving  in 
majesty,  giving  lights  and  shades  to  the  gorgeous  scenery, 
that  it  filled  my  soul  with  joy  and  wonder.  1  thouizht :  Oh ! 
that  this  beautiful  home  shouhl  not  be  known  in  its  reality 
to  mortals  who  remain  upon  the  earth,  uncertain  of  their 
heavenly  home.  I  said,  if  it  be  possible,  mortals  shall 
know  of  it,  and  the  joys  that  await  them,  that  the}-  may  no 
longer  be  doomed  to  sadness  and  despair  at  the  uncertainty' 
of  the  after-life. 

Many  who  come,  are  not  rejoiced  at  first,  for  they  pass 
to  a  plane,  which  their  own  unhappy  earth-lives  have  fitted 
for  them,  and  it  is  a  long  time  before  they  can  be  raised 
to  higher  and  happier  conditions.  All  are  assisted  by 
those  of  their  friends  on  a  higher  plane;  thus  none  are 
lost,  but  only  retarded  in  their  spiritual  growth. 

My  experience  does  not  dift'er,  I  find,  materially  from 
many  others  who  have  given  their  testimony  to  the  world. 
The  law  governing  the  material  world  Ijolds  good  in  the 
spiritual.  Order  is  God's  first  law,  and  the  more  har- 
monious the  conditions,  the  better  and  higher  will  be  the 
uufoldment  of  all  truths,  wjiether  of  earth  or  Heaven. 

Since  my  advent  to  my  bright  spiritual  home,  I  have  not 
been  idle,  for  one  who  sees  the  beautiful  transfiguration 
of  souls,  from  physical  conditions,  and  the  varied  chiinge 
through  which  they  are  ushered  into  the  dfJfereut  spheres, 
according  to  their  adnptation,  needs  to  bo  active  and  eai'- 
nest,  to  assist  the  unfledged  spirit  in  its  first  reception  to 
the  new  home.  No  infant  needs  more  a  mother's  care 
than  the  spirit  on  its  first  entrance  here.  This  being  com- 
prehended by  the  spirit  band,  the  guarding  spirit  awaits, 
receives  and  embalms  it  in  its  magnetic  embrace,  until  re- 
stored to  strength  and  consciousness,  suffi'  lent  to  uu<ler- 
stand  its  own  condition.  The  question  is  often  asked.  Why 
do  so  many  spirits  hang  around  earth,  and  mar  the  happi- 
ness of  mortals?  I  answer,  that  the}-  lived  solely  for  earth, 
and  destroyed  all  aspirations  for  good,  ignoring  everything 
outside  of  physical  necessities,  at  the  expense  of  every 
sympathy,  regarding  nothing  but  sensual  passions,  there- 
by severing  the  tie  of  spirituality  that  would  elevate  them 
to  higher  conditions.  On  changing  worlds  they  are  drawn 
by  their  desires  to  such  gratitications  as  they  most  en- 
joj'ed  in  earth-life,  thereby  holding  them  around  their  for- 
mer haunts  and  associates,  who  are  on  the  same  plane  of 
desires  with  themselves  ;  often  controlling  some  unhappy 
mortal  with  tastes  and  passions  like  themselves,  until  they 
are  gratified  at  the  expense  of  the  unfortunate  being. 


8 

Could  mortals  seetlieir  true  condition,  they  would  strive 
to  overcome  the  lower  passions,  and  cultivate  a  spiritual 
elevation  to  do  good,  and  cultivate  the  higher  and  holiest 
principles  of  life — that  when  the  change  comes  there  will 
not  be  such  powers  to  drag  them  like  leaden  weights 
down  to  earth. 

The  unfoldment  of  a  new  principle  is  beginning  to  as- 
sert itself  upon  the  minds  of  the  people  producing  a  new 
and  holv  influence  on  all  things  earthly,  making  tnem  be- 
lieve that  all  things  are  sustained,  and  developed  for  higher 
good.  Vision  is  very  imperfect  in  regard  to  the  rights  of 
the  world  ;  every  one  has  some  new  phase  upon  which 
they  wish  to  base  their  standard  of  right.  All  see  through 
difierent  lenses,  thereby  destroying  the  harmony — but  it 
is  only  truth  struggling  through  the  haze  of  darkness,  like 
the  sun  through  clouds.  We  know  there  is  a  sun,  a  beauti- 
ful, bright,  warm  sun,  which  will  break  forth  and  dispel 
all  the  clouds  that  obscures  its  brightness. 

So  it  is  with  truth.  There  is  a  glorious  truth  of  divine 
life,  which  will  come  forth  in  all  its  freshness  and  glory, 
to  warm  and  enliven  those  sad,  gloomy  hearts,  which  have 
so  long  been  obscured  bv  doubts  and  fears. 

Every  ste]>  that  is  taken  to  awaken  mortals  to  a  know- 
ledge of  their  true  condition  of  this  life,,  and  towards  har- 
monizing with  the  spheres,  will^tend  to  dispel  the  darkness, 
and  bring  to  light  the  glories  of  the  celestial  spheres  which 
are  so  closely  allied,  that  the  blending  will  add  a  beauti- 
ful lustre  to  the^grave  and  solemn  tread,  of  past  mythology, 
and  bring  glacmess  and  love  to  sorrowing  souls. 

Beautiful  lessons  are  taught  in  nature's  revelations,  as 
the  eye  takes  in  the  lofty  mountains  and  the  grand  scenery 
of  earth — but  the  eye  of  the  soul,  perceiving  a  beautiful 
world  beyond,  filled  with  living,  teeming  life  and  happy 
associations,  is  filled  with  joy  indescribable. 

How  beautiful  is  the  soul  teaching,  for  it  brings  us 
nearer  to  eternal  things,  which  have  been  kept  so  far  from 
us  in  the  false  teachings  of  dark  theology. 

The  spiritual  awakening  and  unfoldment  of  our  inner 
soul  has  opened  a  true  condition  of  life.  It  is  the  open 
sesame  of  interior  life  that  lifts  the  soul  of  men  out  of 
darkness  into  marvelous  light,  illuminating  the  darkened 
chambers  whose  hidden  mysteries  have  been  buried  from 
the  world  through  fear  and  superstitious  dread  of  an  of- 
fended Deity. 

Every  particle  of  matter  gives  a  record  of  the  past  and 
comes  back  through  its  soul  attraction,  giving  a  true  pic- 
ture of  itself — thus  we  read  the  great  book  of  nature  as  a 
living  page  whose  every  leaf  is  destined  to  give  a  portion 
of   the  whole.     Therefore   nothing   is  lost,  each   particle 


having  a  place  in  the  great^^iw  of  Nature.  The  liiddon 
things,  the  springs  of  life,  arc  not  understood  by  cliennist 
or  naturalist — but  as  the  spirit  of  niatter  is  being  devel- 
oped and  understood,  it  will  bring  forth  the  problem  of 
life. 

I  find  that  to  comprehend  our  spiritual  homo  aiight 
and  to  enjoy  its  Ijlessin^rs  we  must  first  understand  our 
earthly  home  and  its  laws  in  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the 
material  sense,  therefore  I  have  somewhat  wandered  in 
ray  subject.  But  when  I  come  en  rapport  with  earth  by 
controlling  a  form  or  brain,  I  become  embalm(;d  with  its 
life  and  principles,  thereby  taking  on  the  conditions  of 
earth  so  as  to  realize  its  sensuous  condition. 

At  such  times  life  physical  seems  to  return  pleasantly, 
similar  to  mortals  being  embalmed  witli  the  spiritual, 
whicli  uplifts  and  gives  them  those  beautiful  sensations  of 
heavenly  visions. 

We  Avould  say  to  our  dear  earthly  friends  to  call  around 
them  as  much  as  possible  the  good  and  true  in  spirit-life 
as  well  as  in  earth-life — yet  scorn  not  the  downtrodden, 
but  by  kindness  uplift  and  encourage  them  as  you  wish  to 
be  cared  for  by  higher  powers.  We  are  all  children  of 
one  great  principle,  or  Father  and  Mother — from  spirit 
and  matter,  positive  aud  negative  forces  are  the  creators 
of  our  existence.  * 


SECTION   SECOND. 

During  the  great  advent  of  spiritual  light,  as  it  broke 
upon  the  unthinking  world,  we  united  as  a  band  to  de- 
scend to  earth  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  acquainted 
with  the  elements  or  conditions  thereof  and  conceived  the 
idea  of  introducing  a  new  language  by  and  through  which 
we  could  communicate  with  mortals.  We  were  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  telegraphic  phases  that  were  being  brought 
to  earth  as  a  means  of  communication  between  various  lo- 
calities, and  becoming  interested  in  assisting  in  that,  we 
tried  to  form  a  connectint:-  link  between  heaven  and  earth. 

Beautiful  bands  of  angels  were  gathered  holding  con- 
tinued investigations  in  regard  to  such  conditions  as  could 
be  brought  to  bear  ujion  sounds. 

At  last,  the  time  arrived,  and  conditions  were  found 
which  gave  joy  unspeakal)!*.;  to  know  that  we  had  succeed- 
ed in  making  the  tiny  sounds  that  were  caused  by  concus- 
sion of  an  electric  power.  Those  children  clothed  by  the 
magnetic  belt,  in  their  sim})licity,  supposed  them  to  be 
simply  queer  sounds,  but  which  have  prt)ved  a  voice  from 


10 

the  angel  liosts.  Such  'then  is  the  cause  of  the  awakening 
and  soul  stirring  power  of  tlifs  new  mean>  of  communion, 
that  to  the  world  may  give  forth  truth,  that  all  shall  know 
and  be  known  as  of  old,  and  prove  that  whatever  has  been 
still  retains  the  same  power.  Tes,  I  can  say,  that  the 
angel  world  has  touched  a  chord  that  will  never  be 
broken,  but  verberafe  and  reverberate  throughout  the  ages 
that  are  to  come,  giving  joy  and  strength  to  millions  of 
souls  yet  unborn.  All  knowledge  has  not  been  accorded 
to  the  minds  of  mortals,  but  like  the  star  in  the  east,  only 
leads  the  way  to  where  the  young  child  lies. 

The  shepherds  who  walk  faithfully  will  be  guided  to  a 
Saviour  of  knowledge.  These  great  spiritual  truths  come 
not  with  loud  soundino-  timbrels,  but  in  the  sweet  whisper- 
ings of  soul-stirring  thought. 

The  two  Avorlds  are  blending.  Geological  research 
proves  the  age  of  the  world  to  be  millions  of  years;  the 
grand  wonderful  changes  having  wrought  a  glorious  pic- 
ture of  knowledge  and  architecture  of  the  times  in  which 
they  lived,  proving  be3'ond  all  doubt,  the  evidence  of  their 
existence  upon  the  earth,  long  before  historic  knowledge 
was  given.  The  grand  old  earth  is  a  book  which  has  been 
indelliuly  written  by  the  hand  of  time,  from  age  to  age, 
so  plainly  that  all  who  can  comprehend  the  laws  of  nature 
can  read  and  define 'the  different^  stages  through  which  she 
has  passed  in  coming  to  the  present  time.  And  the  inhab- 
itants, what  of  them  ;  have  they  been  idle?  No;  they 
have  also  been  passing  through  a  change,  preparatory  to 
giving  their  testimony  from  the  spirit-realms,  in  harmony 
with  the  testimony  of  mother  earth,  and  there  will  be  no 
conflict,  for  the  testimony  will  harmonize  and  blend,  until 
we  find  that  a  unit  will  be  found  between  this  world's 
knowledge  and  the  spirit,  giving  a  full  comprehension  of 
laws  that  have  not  been  understood — for  nothing  is  lost — 
everything  leaves  a  record  of  itself,  imprinted  so  deeply  as 
not  to  be  defaced.  How  beautiful  the  psychometrist  reads 
the  soul  of  things — the  material  only  being  the  cup  to  hold 
the  spirit — but  the  spirit  of  matter,  so  blending  with  the 
spirit  of  mortal,  that  it  leads  it  to  its  own,  giving  it  power 
and  life  properties. 

Since  the  minds  of  mortals  have  awaked  from  their 
dreaded  fear  of  an  angry  God  or  a  burning  hell,  and  have 
recognized  their  individuality  as  responsible  beings,  to 
think  and  act  for  themselves — it  has  developed  a  wonder- 
ful knowledge  in  the  discoveries  of  earth — its  formation 
and  growth  through  the  changes  that  are  constantly  going 
on. 

The  terrible  darkness  which  has  obscured  the  world 
since  the  Christian  era,  by  crushing  the  freedom  of  soul — ■ 


11 

expression — thought  and  investigation  lias  buried  in  obli- 
vion most  of  tiie  wonderful  i>ast  in  its  great  record. 

But  a  change  lias  come,  and  with  it  a  marvelous  truth, 
that  the  world  has  been  passing  through  a  terrible  dream 
or  nightmare,  whicli  for  a  while,  held  it  in  its  powerful 
gras[);  but  the  spell  is  broken  and  can  never  return.  The 
awakened  worhl  is  rubbing  its  eyes  in  wonder  and  joy,  at 
its  deliverance  from  so  terrible  a  fate, ami  gathering  the  fi"ag- 
ments  finds  that  a  beautiful  structure  with  a  perfect  form 
is  shown,  all  parts  fitting  in  harmony  and  order,  and  that 
not  one  fragment  is  lost.  It  has  been  a  dark  record  that 
has  torn  man  horn  his  Maker,  as  though  he  Avas  not  a  part 
of  tljis  grand  whole,  and  that  the  power  that  created  a  uni- 
verse sliould  fail  in  perfecting  man. 

The  whole  structure  of  the  christian  religion,  as  con- 
ceived by  man  and  enforced  upon  the  world,  shows  plainly 
man's  device,  and  not  God's  infinite  wisdom. 

The  evolution  of  joy  or  sorrow,  good  and  evil,  light  and 
darkness,  gave  to  their  undeveloped  minds  an  unseen 
power  or  being  of  good  or  evil,  as  ruling  in  different 
spheres  or  localities,  and  to  their  untaught  minds  caused 
fear  through  terror  of  a  devil,  and  love  only  through  fear 
of  God.  Tiieir  love  for  God  not  being  a  natural  love  for 
his  goodness,  but^only  a  love  of  forced  obedience  against 
their  own  innate  nature.  Now,  a  true  love  to  the  infinite, 
should  be  a  spontaneous  reliance  upon  his  love  and  wis- 
dom. I  find  not  arbitrary  law  compelling  our  acts  here, 
but  attraction  for  all  things  are  in  harmony  and  consequent 
repulsion  from  those  things,  which  are  not  in  accordance 
with  our  highest  good.  The  law  of  worlds  regulates  the 
law  of  beings.  I  sometimes  see  an  overpowering  weight 
of  earthlv  matter  or  certain  proportions  of  matter,  which 
outweigh  the  rest,  or  overbalance  them  by  which  the  mor- 
tal is  drawn  so  forcibly  to  certain  conditions,,  that  it  seems 
to  overpower  hi^u.  Matter  forms  a  magnet  so  strong  that 
the  will  often  becomes  ^veak,  and  yields  to  the  polarity  of 
the  magnet,  but  the  spirit  may  in  itself  be  pure  from  those 
conditions.  As  soon  as  the  true  knowledge  of  life  in  its 
grandest  conception  shall  be  made  known  to  men,  then  will 
the  lion  and  lamb  of  negative  and  positive  forces  balance 
each  other  in  a  harmonious  law\ 

I  find  myself  digressing  in  the  fathomless  chain  of  in- 
finite wisdom;  for  our  spiritual  vision  is  also  limited  and 
can  only  reach  to  certain  bounds :  but  a  comprehension  of 
greater  latitude  will  l>e  given  us  in  the  coming  time,  when 
all  minds  can  be  drawn  by  the  great  iufiux  of  spiritual 
light. 

In  coming  back  to  earth,  wo  bring  soul-seeds  to  be  em- 
balmed with  earth  magnetism,  that  they  may  carry  a  re- 


12 

tarn  of  soul -element  to  a  realm  where  all  things  are 
conceived  and  formed  before  coming  to  earth.  Our  life  is 
only  a  link  to  this  wonderful  chain,  where  new  and  beau- 
tiful forces  of  brilliant  spiritual  conditions  are  uniting  us 
to  this  earth  world. 

I  will  now  show  jou  through  the  grand  sphere  of  our 
spiritual  realm,  to  prove  that  we  are  real  workers  in  this 
glorious  kingdom  of  knowledge. 

The  principle  elements  of  all  spheres — -for  all  spheres  or 
planets  have  the  same  fundamental  principle — but  the  age 
in  which  they  were  evolved  through  the  changes  which 
some  have  passed,  has  brought  them  to  higher  perfection, 
and  the  inhabitants  are  consequently  perfected  to  a  higher 
spiritual  altitude. 

So  far  distant  indeed  are  those  planets  that  hold  the 
spirits  of  ages  gone  by,  that  we  seldom  get  a  response, 
but  by  degrees  we  are  uniting  all  our  forces  by  a  compre- 
hension of  our  relation,  through  the  magnetic  and  electric 
currents,  until  eventually  we  shall  have  a  full  understand- 
ing and  response  from  their  life  history. 

Your  geologists  are  searching  earthly  sands  to  obtain  a 
knowledge  of  the  former  inhabitants  through  the  soul  of 
matter;  so  we  are  tracing  up  the  elements  of  spiritual 
spheres  to  learn  the  true  relationship  of  the  same.  Ben- 
jamin Franklin  is  again  at  work  arrang*fng  his  wonderful 
inspirational  power  to  bring  a  connecting  link  with  the 
different  planets  by  the  power  of  electric  force. 

Now,  friend,  I  must  define  myself  by  saying  that  we 
have  an  organized  band  who  have  been  studying  and  in- 
vestigating this  great  problem  for  many  years.  Though 
they  have  passed  from  your  earthly  plane,  yet  are  they 
conscious  of  all  things  transpiring  in  regard  to  scientific 
laws.  They  were  highly  mediumistic  when  on  earth  as 
well  as  scientific,  and  they  have  not  broken  the  chain  that 
bound  them  to  this  earthly  home  but  have  been  held  by 
the  spiritual  band  in  which  they  were  encircled  to  carry 
on  this  great  problem.  We  are  connected  with  two  bands, 
one  portion  for  scientific  investigation,  another  for  spirit- 
ual communication  and  attraction  to  earth  for  the  knowl- 
edge and  advancement  of  mortals. 

I  will  give  the  names  of  some  of  our  particular  band  to 
show  you  that  we  are  working  for  mankind.  They  are 
such  men  as  Wm.  Penn,  Lafaj-ette,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
Thomas  Paine,  with  many  other  noble  souls  who  earnestly 
fought  to  break  the  chains  of    slavery  of   mind  and  body. 

In  scientific  research  we  find  Gallileo,  Newton,  Hum- 
boldt, Hervy,  Bacon;  as  philosophers,  Socrates,  Aristotle, 
and  on  the  spiritual  plane  sucb  men  as  Chalmers,  Chan- 
ning,  Wesley,  Starr  King,  Parker. 


13 

Tliere  are  many  otliers  doing  as  good  work  in  otiier 
wtiys  and  manner,  just  as  societies  work  on  your  plane, 
each  according  to  tlieir  own  observation.  God  bless  you 
all;  patience  is  only  needed,  and  it'  a])plied  as  well  as  un- 
deistood  would  bring  us  so  near  together  that  no  mistakes 
would  be  made.  A\  e  have  formed  our  circle  of  spiritual 
thinkers  and  scientitic  men  and  philoso[diers  of  diti'erent 
ages,  in  order  to  bring  a  connecting  link  to  the  minds  of 
all.  It  is  arranged  with  a  larger  circle  around  a  smaller, 
which  surrounds  the  magnetic  and  electric  centre  from 
which  forces  from  all  can  be  receivetl  and  diffused  as  we 
are  about  to  inform  you  of  the  home  of  the  upper  realms. 
Our  method  at  first  to  control  mortals  was  to  awaken  them 
by  sounds  which  should  prove  method  and  continue  un- 
til attention  was  attracted.  When  that  was  done,  then  we 
tried  the  power  of  impressing  or  controlling  the  organs  of 
the  body  and  speech,  also  of  siuht.  Thus  by  degrees  were 
we  found  to  be  conveying  ideas  through  the  whole  chan- 
nel of  h^iman  organism.  Being  recognized,  comprehend- 
ing our  success  and  seeing  that  answers  to  our  questions 
were  fiill}'  responded  to,  what  joys  and  hallelujahs  w^ent 
resounding  through  the  spheres  to  know' and  realize  that 
we  were  not  lost,  i)ut  still  a  part  from  all  humanity,  and 
might  still  hold  converse  with  our  loved  ones  on  the  earth, 
who  had  mourned  us  as  dead. 

What  a  restitution  of  soul  thrills  came  reverberating, 
as  every  sphere  responded  in  one  anthem  of  harmon}'  to 
the  joyful  tidings,  that  a  glorious  link  had  hound  us,  and 
opened  a  channel  of  thought  and  investigation  which  has 
proved  wonderful.  Assuring  the  world  that  there  is  no 
death  but  a  glorious  life,  filled  with  works  which  will  re- 
sult in  the  anticipation  of  all  force  of  mind — a  silent  power 
which  will  prove  the  grand  charm  of  knowledge,  cementing 
the  link  of  communication  between  earth  and  heaven. 

I  have  felt  so  long  the  promise  of  this  task  of  communi- 
cating to  mortals,  that  I  had  waited  impatiently  for  the 
time  to  come,  in  which  I  should  bear  a  part  in  this  great 
work.  My  soul  rejoices,  that  now  the  time  has  come, 
though  through  such  strange  events,  and  at  a  time  and 
place  so  unex])ected  and  incomprehensil)le;  yet,  that  an 
opening  has  come,  in  w^hich  all  efforts  will  be  made  to  bring 
the  battery  to  work  for  events  that  will  transpire  to  awaken 
minds  to  the  truths  of  spirit-]>ower,  and  as  such,  that  I  am 
to  be  a  worker  in  the  field  of  this  great  reform.  This  was 
the  time,  and  this  the  place,  in  which  I  should  bring  my 
testimony— for  it  was  a  moment  which  would  strengthen 
and  nerve  nie  to  the  task,  as  those  forces  now  gathered 
were  necessary  to  break  a  channel  through  the  density  of 
superstition  and   darkness,  that    was   overspreading   our 


14 

■country,  and  that  those  who  had  seen  the  light,  might 
come  and  be  important  witnesses  to  this  cause.  Thus  is 
one  focLis  formed  upon  earth,  and  a  force  bears  upon  it 
from  our  spheres,  which  being  recognized,  we  will  con- 
tinue to  come  in  good  faith.  Humboldt  says  he  has  taken 
a  stand  and  will  not  rest  until  a  full  recognition  of  spirit- 
life  is  fully  established.  May  God  bless  all  the  workers 
in  this  field  of  truth.  Wesley's  great  soul  was  led  by  the 
angels,  and  felt  it  before  leaving  the  earth,  and  says  that 
spirit  communion  must  be  recognized  upon  earth.  Ac- 
cording to  a  law  of  God,  the  infinite  power  is  manifesting 
through  matter  at  all  times.  All, who  have  been  on  the' 
earth-plane  are  still  here,  working  and  investigating  ;  for 
the  life  never  ends,  neither  is  it  a  finality,  but  universal 
growth,  throwing  oif  what  it  has  outgrown,  and  taking  on 
new.  "Wonderful  are  Thy  works,  oh  God,  and  glorious  Thy 
revelations." 


SECTION  THIED. 

Dear  friends,  let  me  now  take  you  in  to  our  chemical 
laboratory,  where  are  prepared  chemical  properties,  by 
which  impressions  are  given  to  the  world. 

It  is  a  large  dome  or  tower— no  squares,  bat  round,  and 
an  immense  room,  where  the  sides  are  filled  with  what 
to  you  would  look  like  brass  ]:)ipes  running  up  the  sides, 
but  which  are  of  a  preparation  of  a  glass-like  substance  so 
impenetrable  as  to  hold  all  within  itself.  These  pipes  run 
down  through  the  floor  into  another  room,  where  large 
vats  or  tubs  are  set  in  substance  like  your  earth,  with  con- 
necting pipes  running  a  long  distance  under  the  earth-like 
substance,  where  are  large  vaults  containing  fluids,  where- 
with the  chemical  preparation  is  made  through  filtration, 
and  carried  through  those  tubes  out  on  to  a  plane  of  glass- 
like substance,  where  it  is  retained  to  be  gathered  in  so- 
lution or  dry  powders  for  use.  In  the  centre  of  the  first 
dome  or  room  are  thousands  of  tables  or  boxes,  -where 
small  tubes  are  running,  charging  them,  and  as  they  are 
all  numljered  we  can  find  the  proper  chemical  condition. 

We  are  thus  preparing  the  atoms  of  our  atmosphere  to 
be  used  in  producing  a  power  to  connect  the  two  worlds, 
that  we  may  thereby  come  e7i  rapport  with  mortals  in 
knowledge:  and  truly  we  find  the  same  chemical  afl^ities 
here  that  you  do  in  earth-life,  and  consequently  have  to 
analyze  the  properties  of  matter.  Were  we  not  to  under- 
stand the  nature  and  the  true  relation  of  our  spirit  atmos- 
phere as  compared  with  yours,  we  should  not  be  able  to 


15 

govern  tl)o  rolations  existing  between  us,  and  our  tests 
would  only  be  accidental;  but  as  nothing  is  accidental,  we 
must  then  try  to  conijjreliend  llie  law  governing  the  two 
worlds,  so  as  to  form  a  link  that  will  respond  in  harmony, 
and  at  will  give  such  communications  as  we  direct.  There- 
fore, on  discovering  that  we  were  truly  rccoiiuizej^  by  the 
etiorts  that  had  been  made,  gave  us  courage  to  believe  that 
further  effort  would  be  fully  rewarded  by  a  clear  and  un- 
mistakable knowledge  of  our  condition,  and  home  being 
given  to  the  chiidren  of  earth.  Thiis  we  have  formed  so- 
cieties for  the  investigation  of  this  glorious  truth,  and  to 
prove  to  you,  that  s))irit  not  clothed  in  mortality',  yet  re- 
tains knowledge  and  embodiment,  with  power  to  investi- 
gate, control  and  advance  in  growth  of  knowledge  and 
wisdom,  both  in  sphere  life,  as  well  as  on  the  plane  of  earth. 

When  once  we  gain  perfect  knowledge  of  the  true  con- 
dition, then  will  mortals  become  changed,  and  comprehend 
the  law  by  and  through  which  we  act  to  control  and  im- 
press them. 

There  are  no  societies  on  earth  seeking  knowledge  which 
are  not  originated  in  spirit-life,  for  every  element  has  its 
outgrowth  here.  Altliough  we  are  first  to  conceive,  yet, 
many  carry  out  the  plan  upon  your  plane,  so  as  to 
gather  forces  from  the  elements  of  earth  for  material  to 
work  with.  Your  earth  has  elements  which  have  never 
been  brought  to  the  surface,  l^ut  which  are  only  waiting 
for  the  time  to  come  when  all  matter  will  be  fullv  weighed 
and  investigated.  For  instance,  there  are  obscure  portions 
of  your  earth,  like  Africa's  interior,  discovered  by  your 
Livingston,  which  yet  gives  only  a  ray  of  light  to  enlight- 
ened and  cultivated  portions  of  enrth,  which  will  in  years 
to  come,  give  a  great  force.  At  present,  there  is  work 
enough  for  all,  in  harmonizing  the  spiritual  element  for 
enlightened  nations,  which,  as  you  see,  are  becoming 
blended  by  their  spiritual  attractions.  The  spirits  moved 
at  the  same  time  in  ditl'erent  portions  of  joiw  world,  show- 
ing that  it  was  a  universal  tribute  from  the  spirit-land  to 
the  earth  realm,  and  at  a  time  when  all  seemed  to  need 
its  knowledge. 

The  acknowledged  response  of  intelligence  from  earth, 
that  we  had  made  a  great  discovery,  one  that  woult>  form 
a  new  channel,  throutifh  which  we  could  communicate  with 
our  earthly  friends,  and  draw  their  attention  to  the  great 
fact  of  our  individual  and  real  being,  as  living  and  hold- 
ing sympathy  with  earth,  gave  a  thrill  of  joy  which  was 
heralded  throughout  the  spirit  realms.  Do  you  wonder 
then,  that  on  discovering  channels  through  which  Ave 
could  come  to  earth,  that  every  effort  should  be  made  to 
ascertain  all  facts  concerning  them? 


16 

Societies  were  formed  and  various  ways  planned  to  in- 
vestigate the  best  means  to  control.  In  doing  so,  we  had 
to  come  to  earth  and  apply  the  currents  of  air  from  our 
batteries  formed  in  the  spheres,  to  such  as  were  attracted 
to  us,  or  to  those  who  were  genial  or  negative  to  our  at- 
mosphere, by  applying  and  bringing  them  under  our  mag- 
netic influences,  also  attracting  a  sphere  or  circle  of  friends 
to  iinite  in  sympathy  with  the  controlled,  often  being  com- 
pelled to  assist  in  magnetizing  them.  Thus  we  worked  by 
will  and  magnetic  currents  upon  different  media  until 
results  followed,  which  gave  to  the  world  a  truth  of  con- 
tinued life. 

We  now  are  working  to  attract  by  attaching  batteries 
found  in  our  sphere  with  those  formed  on  earth,  and  when 
once  the  true  conditions  are  understood,  that  are  required 
to  connect  the  two  poles  between  our  worlds,  with  intelli- 
gent operators  at  each  pole  or  battery,  then  will  the  great 
problem  be  solved  which  has  so  long  been  buried  in  dark- 
ness. Then  will  knowdedge  be  received  that  the  inhabitants 
of  earth  are  guided  and  controlled  by  those  in  spirit-life, 
whose  taste  and  sympathy  blend. 

All  the  arts  and  sciences,  inventions  and  discoveries 
have  been  directed  by  higher  influences.  Those  who 
have  solved. the  destinies  of  man,  passed  the  change  called 
death,  and  risen  to  a  knowledge  of  spiritual  conditions, 
discover  the  true  condition  and  relations  of  matter  and  its 
uses.  We  are  blending  heaven  and  earth  in  various  ways, 
and  soon  you  will  see  that  we  can  chemically  change  a  be- 
ing of  earth,  by  displacing  particles  of  matter  by  spiritual 
process.  Could  you  see  your  earthly  bodies  you  would  dis- 
cover a  blending  of  particles  of  matter,  held  together  by 
tissues,  so  thin  and  transparent  that  you  would  be  startled 
at  the  frailty  of  the  human  body.  With  physical  eyes,  you 
behold  it  beautiful  and  substantial,  answering  all  the  pur- 
poses of  earthly  conditions;  but  pass  it  under  spiritual 
test  by  chemical  treatment,  and  it  disappears,  changed 
in  all  its  conditions,  but  as  suddenly  returns  to  its  former 
position,  showing  how  little  man  knows  of  his  physical 
being. 

Atoms  are  held  together  by  a  law  of  attraction,  and 
repel  "those  which  are  not  in  sympathy  or  adapted  to 
themselves,  whether  mineral,  vegetable  or  animal.  The 
human  body  is  in  harmony  with  all,  and  a  combination 
of  all  forces.  Every  day  we  are  gaining  more  facts  and 
greater  insight  into  the  means  of  intelligent  communica- 
tion with  earth. 

The  power  to  move  inanimate  bodies  is  brought  about 
by  burying  the  chemical  properties  of  magnetic  influence 
from  our  sphere,  and   electric  forces   from  earth,  which. 


17 

united  l)y  tlio  power  of  a  bcittcrj,  formed  either  consciously 
or  unconsciously,  wo  thus  gather  the  power  to  attract  or 
retard  such  things  as  come  in  contact  Avith  this  power. 
Wo  liohl  it  in  submission  with  those  things  thatarc  moved, 
otherwise  tliere  would  be  destruction. 

Wo  do  not  wiijh  to  frighten,  but  to  convince  the  world 
of  the  truth  of  knowledge  and  power  manilested  by  those 
who  have  once  been  friends  upon  your  plane.  We  wish 
the  world  to  understand  that  the  angels,  who  have  been 
so  much  talked  of,  are  those  who  once  inhabited  earth  as 
your  beloved  ones,  and  that  they  can  come  back,  and  d(j 
come  and  can  comprehend  the  wants  of  humanity,  and  are 
working  for  its  good  and  for  the  purpose  of  giving  credit, 
Avliere  credit  is  due. 

In  past  time,  God  has  had  the  whole  praise  for  every- 
thing of  an  intelligent  nature  brought  to  earth,  and  our 
loved  ones  have  been  lost  in  all  communication.  It  is 
true  God  is  universal,  an  embodiment  of  all  things,  and 
permeates  all  things;  iDut  as  all  are  a  part  of  that  universal 
being,  they  are  the  individualities  which  are  brought  into 
a  condition  or  relation,  whereby  they  can  impart  to  those 
who  are  in  sympathy  with  them,  the  truths  and  knowl- 
edge of  the  spirit  spheres.  Thus  you  sec  that  everything 
works  on  a  plane  of  reason  and  harmony. 

The  world  has  become  fully  awakened  to  the  knowledge 
of  spirit  communion  and  hereafter  will  work  in  sympathy 
with  the  Avorkers  in  spirit-life.  The  two  forces  blending 
will  develop  a  new  era,  a  new  world,  where  all  will  work 
together  for  good,  understandingly  and  without  fear  of  an 
eternal  hell  or  a  purchasable  heaven.  To  be  bought  or 
sold  is  a  servile  condition  to  every  one,  whereby  they  are 
bound  and  held  against  the  glorious  freedom  of   the  soul. 

Now  will  all  within  the  M'orld  be  made  to  rejoice  in  the 
knowledge  of  Eternal  life,  where  all  shall  enjoy  the  free- 
dom of  unfoldment,  evolving  in  knowledge  and  power, 
framing  new  codes  of  laws  to  sustain,  not  restrain,  the 
grand  and  glorious  lights  that  shall  come  from  summer- 
land. 

Every  work  of  art  is  a  reflex  of  spirit-life,  and  in  all  its 
perfectness  stamps  itself  upon  the  coarser  matters  of 
earth.  All  the  beautiful  are  angel  tokens  given  to  mortals 
to  bring  them  in  harmony  with  their  angel  home.  FIoav- 
ers  are  angelic  teachers,  that  minister  to  our  senses  with 
beauty  and  fragrance,  drawing  us  upward  to  higher  un- 
foldment. 

There  is  a  great  change  taking  place  in  the  last  few 
years.  Many  distinguished  and  highly  inspirational  mor- 
tals have  changed  their  garments  and  taken  their  upward 
flight  to  assist  in  the  return  of  spirits  to  earth  for  a  higher 


18 

unfoldment  in  the  true  knowledfre  of  intercourse  ijetween 
the  two  worlds;  bringing  a  more  universal  knowledge  of 
spirit-life  in  its  real  and  true  condition,  establishing  a  fact 
which  has  so  long  puzzled  the  world  with  regard  to  our 
future  destination  and  spiritual  condition . 

A  spirit  has  even  been  considered  an  illusion  or  delusion 
of  the  mind  under  peculiar  conditions,  and  those  who  saw 
or  felt  a  spirit  were  considered  under  strange  hallucina- 
tion filled  with  vagaries  through  fear,  never  giving  credit 
to  the  spirit  as  a  real  identity  or  tangibility.  But  the  veil 
has  been  removed — the  two  v/orlds  have  shaken  hands, 
exchanged  words  of  love  and  recognition  through  the  por- 
tals of  heaven  and  earth,  opening  a  glorious  channel 
through  which  communication  can  be  intelligently  carried 
on,  to  establish  a  new  era  of  knowledge  whereby  mortals 
can  know  and  comprehend  by  what  laws  and  through  what 
agency  they  are  led  and  guided. 

No  more  will  they  feel  the  arbitrary  heel  of  a  tyrant 
crushing  them  without  mercy,  or  that  the  world  was  an 
accident  moved  by  chance,  but  that  there  is  infinite  wis- 
dom and  adaptation,  and  that  all  things  are  moved  in  har- 
mony and  order  according  to  His  will,  that  all  changes 
are  the  order  of  unfoldment,  throwing  off  attributes  no 
longer  needed  and  taking  on  new.  Every  day  brings  a 
new  era  of  knowledge,  of  some  important  changes  or  con- 
dition, of  things  showing  that  what  was  once  considered 
supernatural  are  onlj^  natural  laws,  and  that  when  once 
understood  seem  perfectly  clear  to  the  mind. 

Thus  by  degrees  will  heaven  and  earth  blend,  until  we 
shall  walk,  and  talk  and  comprehend  life  in  its  true  light. 
The  spirits  of  mortals  now  often  visit  our  summer-land 
home — visit  many  of  its  scenes,  guided  by  loved  ones  on 
the  spirit  shore,  many  of  them  retaining  a  knowledge  of 
the  scenes  through  which  thev  pass  and  often  remember- 

"^  11"" 

ing  the  loved  ones  who  escorted  them,  thus  bringing  to 
earth  beautiful  visions  of  the  summer-land.  Also  spirits 
who  have  been  disrobed  of  mortality,  walk  and  talk  with 
mortals,  giving  much  knowledge  to  earth-life  of  our  intel- 
ligence by  telegraphic  chords  which  respond  to  the  touch 
of  angels  and  mortals. 

"No  longer  will  the  earth  be  clothed  in  sackcloth  and 
ashes,  but  a  renewed  life  will  spring  up  to  cherish  with 
fond  affection  the  loved  ones  who  are  waiting  for  them. 

In  the  chemical  laboratory  we  are  testing  the  properties 
of  matter  by  chemical  changes,  and  find  that  by  a  process 
of  atmospheric  action  we  can  displace  particles  of  matter 
and  replace  with  spirit  matter  not  seen  by  the  natural  eye 
which  will  hold  the  spirit  while  we  remove  the  physical, 
covering  or  body,  giving  it   another  body  with  features  of 


19 

youtli  or  iv^c,  lliureby  personating  anotlier  being  out  of 
the  garments  of  one,  wlio  now  stands  enshrouded  in  spirit- 
matter,  and  then  replace  the  same  to  its  original  form  and 
condition  without  losing  a  particle  or  injury  to  the  being. 
It  has  been  done  many  times;  but  it  is  not  understsood  by 
mortals  how  the  spirit  can  be  covered  by  a  mortal's  body. 

But  as  the  scientists  of  vour  world  are  commencing  to 
test  these!  things  in  truly  scientific  manner,  they  will  be 
amply  repaid  in  the  grand  discoveries  that  will  be  made 
in  chemical  changes  going  on  between   heaven  and  earth. 

We  see  from  our  spirit-home  that  mortals  are  only  bor- 
rowing from  a  fountain  whose  sup[)ly  has  not  been  drained, 
but  that  there  is  ever  an  abundance  for  the  increasing  de- 
mand as  the  iiiilnx  is  greater  than  the  wants.  We  see  a 
movement  amongst  those  who  do  not  comprehend  the  uni- 
versal knowledj'e  and  truth  of  life  to  destrovthi.s  beautiful 
structure  of  spiritual  intelligence  and  prevent  it  being  re- 
ceived upon  earth,  as  it  will  overthrow  their  God  as  an 
individual  or  personal  being  and  hence  their  power  as  a 
monoj)oly.  But  they  will  count  without  their  host,  as 
there  has  been  too  much  power  gained  of  the  knowledge 
of  spirit  communion  to  fall  back  upon  the  creeds  and  dog- 
mas of  past  idolatry. 

A  universal  light  will  spread  throughout  the  world,  and 
establish  the  knowledge  of  God  in  man,  as  the  supremacy 
and  intelligence  of  earth,  surrounded  by  attending  angels, 
who  control  according  to  the  wants  of  the  times.  Art? 
and  sciences  unfold  the  true  condition  and  relation  of 
spheres  and  their  uses. 

The  struggle  will  be  great,  and  every  effort  will  be  made 
to  overcome  this  great  influence;  but  it  will  only  cement 
the  link  by  stronger  ties,  as  every  soul  which  is  guided 
by  the  angelic  hosts,  will  open  a  way  for  all  to  see  the 
wonderous  power  of  heaven. 

God  works  by  and  through  angel  power,  and  they  mini- 
ster to  the  wants  of  all,  whether  rich  or  poor,  great  or 
small.  "He  has  chosen  the  weak  things  of  earth  to  confound 
the  wise,"  and  it  will  be  found  that  He  again  assumes  the 
power  as  of  old,  to  commune  with  his  own,  the  children 
of  earth,  and  give  them  power  to  do  His  Avill.  He  gives  the 
sun  to  shine  on  all  alike,  and  has  placed  no  barriers  to 
their  enjoyment  of  His  beautiful  creation.  It  is  only  man's 
device  to  debar  man  from  free  and  equal  participation  in 
all  things  pertaining  to  life.  This  is  the  birth  of  a  new 
saviour,  and  one  which  will  redeem  the  world  without  a 
sacrifice  of  blood.  Wo  drop  the  bloody  feast  of  the  past, 
and  turn  to  the  spiritual  food,  which  will  nourish  and  im- 
part life  in  all  its  spiritual  beauty.  No  more  sacrifices  of 
the   material    body,  only  a  natural   adaptation  to  natural 


20 

laws,  recognizing  a   spiritual  blending   to    lead    on    to   a 
higher  sphere  and  a  more  perfect  life. 

It  is  this  blending  without  fear  that  has  brought  so 
much  to  light  and  life,  for  now  we  are  becoming  an  em- 
bodiment in  perfect  unison  with  the  God-like  principle 
of  universal  love. 

We  embody  the  electric  and  magnetic  force,  and  make 
the  selections  as  we  wish  to  carry  out  a  figure  or  plan  of 
spirit  design,  to  combine  the  element,  to  protect  and 
cherish  the  arts,  such  as  photography  or  spirit-form, 
brought  to  bear  upon  any  given  thing,  or  to  impart  a 
knowledge  to  earth-life  of  the  power  of  spirit.  We  are 
testing  all  and  every  chemical  particle  of  matter  to  blend 
it  with  our  own,  to  establish  the  fact  with  our  being. 
The  medium  Daguerre^  was  Wrought  upon  for  years  by  a 
power  unknown  to  him,  but  which  he  felt  he  must  carry 
out,  and  did  at  last  succeed,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
world.  So  with  Mozart  in  writing  his  own  requiem: 
spirit  control  was  firm  with  him,  and  even  showed  himself 
and  spoke  to  him.  So  with  Morse  in  the  telegraph.  All 
of  these  and  thousands  more  have  showed  the  mediumis- 
tic  blending  with  spirit  force,  and  a  gradual  uniting  of  the 
two  worlds,  until  we  are  now  speaking  to  each  other  as 
mutual  friends,  who  are  interested  in  the  same  cause  of 
investigation,  for  the  benefit  of  future  generations,  "when 
the  lion  and  iamb  shall  lie  down  together  in  harmony." 

Thus  we  see  the  wonderful  revelations  of  the  hidden 
springs  of  life,  bringing  heaven  and  earth  to  a  mutual  re- 
cognition of  the  conditions  of  each;  an  uplifting  of  the  one 
and  a  sustaining  of  the  other,  by  well  balanced  laws  of 
positive  and  negati"7e  forces. 

We  find  everything  to  be  natural  here,  and  earth  cannot 
picture  a  more  natural  scene,  yet  cannot  compare  with  its 
glory.  Often  there  is  concentrated  force  of  our  spiritual 
band,  drawing  a  halo  of  light  from  your  earth-plane  to  our 
sphere,  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  connect  a  link  of  com- 
munication, in  order  to  give  a  full  knowledge  of  our  sur- 
roundings as  we  know  the  anxiety  of  you  earth  friends,  to 
gain  the  truth  of  our  locality. 

We  find  it  hard  to  illustrate  to  the  minds  of  mortals, 
the  true  condition  of  our  home,  as  we  understand,  see  and 
realize  it.  But  in  order  to  define  it,  we  will  say  that  we 
are  not  confined  or  limited  to  place  the  same  as  mortals, 
yet,  we  are  governed  by  laws  regulating  our  acts. 

We  cannot  pass  a  sphere  surrounding  us  until  we  acquire 
the  electric  chain,  which  will  unite  and  carry  us  by  its  at- 
traction through  it;  yet,  those  laws  are  not  arbitrary,  be- 
cause being  understood,  they  are  recognized  as  the  true 
condition  by  and   through  which    all   things  must   move. 


21 

The  magnetic  chain  is  ii  connecting  link,  binding  all  con- 
ditions so  that  we  can  connect  with  every  sphere,  and  yet 
not  leave  our  own. 

Thus  the  spirits  of  higher  spheres  can  and  docommuni- 
cate  through  every  sphere  and  to  the  earth-plane;  bat  as 
you  on  the  earth-plane  sometimes  call  it,  by  proxy. 
Often  times  communications  are  sent  to  earth  by  spirits 
from  the  higher  life  to  their  loved  ones  on  earth,  and  re- 
ceive in  return,  messages  from  them,  without  coming  in 
contact  with  earth's  atmosphere,  its  density  at  the  time 
repelling  them ;  therefore  necessitating  the  telegraphic  sys- 
tem to  be  used  with  us. 


SECTION  FOUETH. 

Our  life  is  an  unfolding  germ,  which  will  eventually  bloom 
in  the  highest  heaven. 

The  homes  of  our  new  life  are  just  what  the  spirits'  high- 
est conception  had  formed  in  earth-life.  No  light  is  dark- 
ened in  spirit-life,  no  soul  lost,  but  like  a  beautiful  rose, 
every  leaf  of  the  divine  nature  will  unfold  in  all  its  beauty, 
giving  frairrance  and  sweetness  to  the  surrounding  sphere. 

According  to  a  law  of  divine  love,  we  cannot  be  happy 
in  knowing  that  life  is  eternal,  without  making  every  effort 
to  awaken  mortals  to  the  truth  of  life  beyond  the  earthly; 
heaven  is  a  planet  or  place  with  spheres  or  belts,  Avhich 
are  of  themselves  a  universe  to  the  inhabitants,  each  sphere 
being  perfectly  adapted  to  the  wants  of  those  inhabiting  it. 

Societies  are  varied  according  to  their  requirements. 
All  arts  and  sciences  are  investigated  and  taught  in  the 
higher  realms.  Religion  has  its  devotees  in  the  lower 
spheres,  who  worship  at  its  shrine,  until  the  spiritual  un- 
foldment  from  the  higher,  prepare  them  to  enter  upon 
higher  iilanes. 

The  tirst  and  second  spheres  resemble  earth  in  its  mate- 
rial properties  and  surroundings. 

The  first  is  so  nearly  allied  by  the  interchange  of  mag- 
netic and  electric  forces,  passing  from  animal,  vegetable 
and  mineral  life,  giving  the  same  sensations,  so  that  the 
spirit  on  entering  this  sphere,  often  mistakes  it  for  his 
earthly  home,  and  vibrates  between  it  and  the  earth. 

Those  spirits  that  are  material,  remain  in  the  tirst  sphere, 
and  coming  in  contact  Avith  earth-matter,  often  clothe 
themselves  in  its  magnetic  condition,  so  as  to  be  recog- 
nized by  their  friends — the  element  of  earth  being  but  lit- 
tle coarser  than  those  of  the  first  sphere. 


22 

Tlie  spirits  of  higher  spheres  passing  through  the  lower 
in  returning  to  earth,  cause  an  interchange,  producing  a 
gradual  progression  from  earth  to  the  highest. 

As  soon  as  a  spirit  is  sufficiently  spiritualized  or  har- 
monized to  pass  into  another  sphere  to  become  an  inhabi- 
tant, a  band  of  angels  is  sent  to  escort  it. 

Spirits  often  visit  spheres  beyond  them,  guided  by  attend- 
ing angels,  from  those  spheres,  so  that  that  they  can  behold 
the  glories  of  soul-land  and  the  angelic  hosts,  who  are  radi- 
ant and  beautiful,  thus  awakening  them  to  a  consciousness 
of  glory  not  conceived  before.  Attendants  wait  upon  them, 
giving  to  their  wondering  gaze  the  soul  picture  of  glories 
in  the  higher  life.  Earth's  children  sometimes  get  glimp- 
ses of  the  celestial  spheres,  and  retain  the  knowledge 
gained  to  give  it  to  earth.  So  with  those  spirits,  they  are 
filled  with  a  glorious  light,  giving  them  an  impetus  to  rise 
to  higher  conditions. 

The  archway  of  heaven,  as  it  is  called,  is  the  home  of 
the  angels,  where  they  congregate  in  intercourse  with 
each  other  in  joyous  festivities  of  pleasure  and  instruction 

You  ask,  do  you  have  homes,  families,  societies,  cities'? 
Vv^e  answer,  most  certainly  we  do,  and  a  glorious  universe 
of  love  with  those  who  are  drawn  to  us. 

Homes  are  constructed  for  the  education  and  blendini^; 
of  all  that  come  within  the  sphere  of  our  domestic  ties. 
Societies  associate  for  the  advancement  of  knowledge. 
Cities  are  on  a  dilferent  plane  from  earth  and  on  a  grander 
scale  of  conception — for  the  soul  is  ever  reaching  out  in 
its  spiritual  capacity  for  knowledge  of  that  which  will 
benefit  all  who  come  within  its  sphere  of  attraction.  We 
are  not  diversified  by  divisions  of  religious  teachings — for 
all  are  of  one  mind,  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  great 
law  of  love .  We  are  now  speaking  of  those  spheres  which 
have  fully  awakened  to  the  true  soul  condition  of  a  uni- 
versal Father,  whose  love  permeates  all  life.  We  find 
no  isolated  beings  who  are  left  to  wander  alone,  but  a 
•General  law  that  governs  the  whole,  and  all  are  welcome 
to  come  home  where  the  vine  and  tig-tree  yieldeth  its  fruit 
— no  walls  or  barriers  to  the  necessities  of  life.  It  is  a 
spontaneous  gift  to  all,  therefore  none  lose  the  true  con- 
dition of  their  soul's  teaching.  None  are  chilled  by  the 
cold  look  or  averted  face,  because  not  understood — for 
evei-y  thought  is  comprehended  and  therefore  drawn  to 
those  in  sympathy  with  them.  Let  us  now  wander  in  the 
beautiful  vales  of  our  loved  soul-land  and  gather  the  blos- 
soms which  will  speak  a  language  to  the  soul  that  words 
cannot;  for  you  must  know  this,  that  we  are  blest  with 
everything  in  a  spiritual  sense  that  has  blest  the  eye  upon 
the  physical  plane,  and  then  be   gathered  in    the  folds  of 


23 

wonder  at  tlio  woiulroas  variety  never  conceived  of  in  this 
tliy  lower  homo.  Scenery  of  the  spheres  is  not  so  rauchi 
unlike  the  earth,  but  its  transcendant  beauty  can  never 
be  doscril)o  I  or  realized  until  seen  with  the  eyes  of  the 
spirit-body. 

As  I  prepare  this  communication  for  the  children  of 
earth,  I  sit  upon  a  mossy  bank  where  a  beautiful  current 
of  sparkling  water  is  running  over  a  pebbly  bed,  giving  a 
low  murmur  which  lulls  me  into  a  soft  dreamy  repose, 
carrying  me  back  to  earth,  recalling  old  scenes  which  are 
at  times  still  fresh  in  memory.  Ye?,  we  do  live  again  in 
our  earth  past,  and  it  is  often  while  wandering  in  these 
beautiful  vales  that  old  scenes  become  vivid  in  soul-mind. 

I  see  before  me  grottoes  where  the  poet  or  author  re- 
clines beneath  gorgeous  foliage  of  shady  trees — where 
cool  murmuring"  streams  and  grassy  lawns  are  decked  with 
rarest  flowers — birds  warbling  their  glad  notes  of  sweet- 
ness, soothing  into  poetic  lore. 

The  artist  reclines  in  some  silent  nook  touching  the 
scenes  which  will  some  day  be  given  to  earth  tlirough  the 
hand  and  brain  of  some  mortal.  Yes,  the  artist  skill  of 
the  soul -land  has  hardly  yet  touched  the  spirit  of  mortals 
with  its  power;  but  the  time  is  not  far  distant  Avhen  yon 
will  receive  new  expression  of  our  angel  world.  Your 
artists  have  caught  the  face  and  form  of  oar  loved  ones; 
but  soon  our  soul-land  will  be  photographed  in  your 
earth,  and  a  startling  picture  it  will  make,  though  real  yet 
wonderful  in  its  true  condition. 

How  little  is  comprehended  by  mortals  of  their  power 
with  us — all  are  making  soul-pictures  for  their  future  life 
and  every  good  thought  or  act  is  stamped  upon  the  sphere 
homo.  So  the  evil  acts  andinharmonies  of  life  are  stamped 
in  the  sphere  of  inharmonious  or  undeveloped  land.  The 
vision  of  mortal,  which  is  clothed  in  clairvoyant  sight,  sees 
the  beautiful  scenes  of  soul-land,  but  cannot  fully  compre- 
hend its  wonderful  beauty;  but  as  the  spirit  unfolds  in 
knowledge  and  sees  everything  beautifully  arranged  in  or- 
der and  harmony,  perfectly  adapted  to  their  wants  and 
happiness,  every  step  they  take  in  their  progress  will  be 
a  step  nearer  some  ambition  of  the  soul,  giving  them  a  joy 
and  remcnd)rance  of  past  events  in  the  progression  to  a 
still  higher  life. 

Our  starlit  canopy  is  filled  with  lustrous  mementoes  of 
ancient  records  of  past  earth-life  in  the  different  stages  of 
earth's  history.  A  chronicle  is  kept  in  the  heavens  of  all 
change  and  the  periods  of  time  in  which  those  changes 
were  made.  Also  a  likeness  of  the  forms  of  beings  and 
language  and  modes  of  life.  Do  not  think  that  we  have 
no  record  of    the  past.     Everything  is  preserved  and  with 


24 

the  utmost  precision.  As  yet  man  is  not  prepared  to  re- 
ceive a  full  knowledge  of  those  facts,  but  little  by  little  it 
will  be  brought  before  his  mind  and  given  to  the  Avorld. 

Man  to-day  is  reading  from  the  pages  of  earth  in  sym- 
pathy Avith  the  spirit  of  the  heavenly  world,  and  is  guided 
and  directed  to  discover  in  the  history  of  earth's  laboratory 
the  truth  of  what  we  say. 


SECTION  FIFTH. 

I  will  now  take  you  to  our  home  in  the  Summer  Land — 
the  home  where  we  spend  our  quiet  and  happy  intervals 
of  rest  and  repose,  and  trather  sweet  inspiration  to  renew 
our  life-work  with  ecstacies  of  delight. 

Here  are  golden  colored  mystic  rivers,  which  give  forth 
enchanting  sounds  like  cymbals  or  fine  strung  bells  of 
smallest  size,  which  so  blend  in  tone  and  sweetness  that 
they  lull  to  repose  and  rest.  Such  a  beautiful  river  flows 
near  our  retreat,  with  ambrosial  flowers  on  its  banks,  with 
grottoes  and  statuary  of  the  noble  and  grand  of  earth's 
history,  here  and  there  surrounded  by  sparkling  fountains 
w^hose  crystal  waters  give  a  musical  cadence  soft  and 
sweet,  where  we  love  to  retire  to  meditate  and  ask  inspira- 
tion of  higher  poAver. 

Often  the  inhabitants  of  other  planets  visit  our  loved 
home  and  wander  amidst  its  beautiful  scenery,  gathering 
mementoes  to  carry  to  their  loved  sphere  where  they  are 
kept  as  tokens  of  remembrance. 

We  often  revisit  and  hold  heavenly  converse  on  the 
wonderful  soul  realm  of  eternal  life. 

The  physical  cares  or  fatigues  of  \^out4ife  are  not  ours. 
We  drop  those  with  our  garments  at  the  gateway  of  earth, 
before  entering  the  portals  of  our  heavenly  home,  and 
take  uj)on  us  our  vestal  garments  of  shining  and  purified 
texture  which  we  change  as  easily  as  the  rainbow  its  hues, 
adapting  ourselves  to  the  conditions  of  change  through 
diflereut  spheres. 

Imagine,  if  you  can,  some  lovely  spot  of  earth  where 
the  undulating  scenery  of  mouutailis  and  valleys  whose 
picturesque  beauty  carries  the  soul  out  into  some  fairy 
land,  whose  towering  mountains  covered  with  rich  verdure 
and  lofty  trees,  whose  leafy  branches  breathe  fragrance 
and  coolness  to  the  soul,  while  the  valleys  gently  sloping 
down  to  the  crystal  waters  of  a  beautiful  river,  w4iose 
branches  are  spreading  like  veins  through  the  surrround- 
ing  country,  with  lakes  dotted  here  and  there,  while  a 
broad  expanse  of  waters  like  the  ocean  sparkles  and  rip- 


25 

pies  in  the  distance.  The  Lazy  sunshine  gives  a  halo  to 
the  scene,  the  soft  notes  of  sweet  sin<^ing  birds  and  the 
little  fairy  insect  world  are  lending  a  harmonical  chord  to 
lull  with  the  singing  waters  a  weary-worn  spirit  to  rest. 
Such  then  may  you  imagine,  but  still  a  much  brighter 
picture  than  this  of  our  dear  summer-land. 

We  have  a  variety  of  scenery  so  beautiful  that  it  has 
never  entered  into  the  mind  of  mortal  to  conceive  of  the 
glories  that  await  the  pilgrim  stranger  to  this  fairy  laud. 

My  home,  or  rather  our  home — for  my  dear  family  are 
encircled  within  its  charms,  and  many  who  are  in  unison 
with  our  love  of  life — meet  with  us  in  a  loving  harmony. 
Our  lovely  home  nestles  in  the  bosom  of  a  valley  whose 
lands  slo]jc  gently  down  to  a  beautiful  lake,  whoi-e  the  sun- 
set falls  like  gold  upon  its  mirro%^d  surface,  reflecting  the 
gorgeous  scenery.  We  chose  this  spot  as  memento  of 
our  earth-home  and  for  a  resting  place  after  long  excur- 
sions to  other  planes  or  spheres.  We  also  have  homes  in 
every  sphere  when  we  have  become  an  inhabitant  in  our 
progress  to  this. 

We  find  so  man}-  things  like  earth  in  the  floral  kingdom 
and  among  the  feathered  songsters,  that  we  never  lose  the 
individuality  of  earth;  but  there  are  many  beautiful  tiowers 
that  bloom  with  us  that  do  not  bloom  on  earth,  such  as 
the  music  flower,  which  makes  the  sweetest  music  chiming 
with  the  cymbal  waters,  thrilling  the  soul  with  joy.  (Cym- 
bal is  the  name  given  to  certain  bodies  of  water  Avhich 
give  a  sweet  sound  like  tinkling  bells,  yet  not  distinct  and 
apart,  but  sweetly  blending  in  symphony.) 

As  you  near  our  beautifal  homo  from  the  silvery  flowing 
river,  you  see  grottoes  and  cascades  and  fountains.  Oar 
grottoes  are  very  beautiful  when  covered  with  those  sing- 
ing flowers,  whose  fragrance  greets  the  stranger  with  a 
wonderful  ra|)ture,  similar  to  the  fragrance  that  fills  the 
atmosphere  when  roses  are  in  bloom  in  3'our  earth. 

We  do  not  live  in  houses  like  those  of  earth,  but  have 
glorious  sheeny  apartments,  which  screen  from  the  out- 
ward observer  and  yield  a  sweet  protection  in  which  our 
souls  revel  and  rest. 

Outward  on  a  beautiful  mountain  we  behold  the  retreat 
of  tijose  who  are  mingling  soul  with  the  scenery,  and 
gradually  does  it  blend  with  those  ins]nratioual  beings 
where  everything  tends  to  elevate  from  this  beautiful  scene. 
Here  live  poets  in  their  beautiful  visions  of  higher  life, 
artists,  sculptors,  inventors,  who  have  laboratories  or 
schools  of  design  whereby  to  perfect  their  glorious  ideas 
or  conceptions.  Here  they  can  study  thoughts  from  the 
earth-plane  thousands  of  years  before  man  has  any 
knowledge  or  communication.     This  knowledge  will   yet 


26 

be  handed  down  to  earth,  before  your  scientist  will  gather 
it  from  the  laboratory  of  earth,  through  the  iuvestiiiations 
of  geological  research,  yet  they  will  compare  perfectly 
when  brought  together. 

We  will  not  digress,  but  return  to  our  description  of  our 
beautiful  home.  You  ask  how  do  we  live.  We  answer, 
by  being  embalmed  with  all  and  everything  that  is  beau- 
tiful and  in  harmony  to  our  taste  or  desire.  Comprehend- 
ing the  beautiful  we  attract  the  beautiful  to  us.  Xothing 
is  allowed  by  the  ruling  innate  law,  to  mar  an  inspiration 
in  the  heavenly  sj^heres.  We  yield  to  the  impulses  that 
surround  us,  as  an  infant  to  its  mother  for  sustenance. 
Thus  we  retire  to  our  grottoes,  where  all  things  minister  to 
those  beautiful  visions  of  souls  inspiration.  There  we  are 
lulled  and  charmed  by  the  music  of  the  flowers  and 
birds,  and  the  hum  of  insect  life,  while  the  perfume  of 
flowers  impregnates  our  being  with  sweetness.  Thus  our 
soul  is  rested  and  uplifted,  and  like  the  flowers,  gather  in 
the  nectar  of  God's  glories,  which  make  us  grander  and 
more  noble  in  doing  the  great  good  for  those  who  need 
our  strength,  and  who  do  not  have  such  beautiful  homes. 

The  desires  of  the  heart  furnish  the  homes  of  spirit-life. 
Those  who  do  not  love  the  beautiful  are  not  iiiven  beauti- 
ful homes,  until  they  have  grown  into  a  condition  to  appre- 
ciate them. 

Now  we  have  told  you  of  flowers  and  birds,  and  you 
naturally  ask,  have  we  any  other  scenes  or  conditions  like 
earth.  Yes  friends,  all  the  animal  creation  are  here  in 
their  form  and  sphere,  and  many  more  beautiful  than  ever 
seen  upon  your  earth,  being  adapted  to  our  sphere  alone. 
Why  should  we  not?  Have  we  not  the  forest,  the  moun- 
tain and  meadow,  lawns,  lakes,  rivers,  all  and  everything 
like  earth,  and  much  that  you  will  under.-tand  that  earth 
has  not,  because  of  her  density. 

Yet,  «he  will  bring  forth  and  develope  many  new  beings 
as  she  continues  to  rise  out  of  her  density  to  higher  spirit- 
ual altitude — for  she  is  rising  higher  and  is  becoming  more 
spiritual  in  all  her  conditions.  Everything  upon  her 
plane  is  being  more  spiritualized,  and  therefore  she  will 
develope  more  spiritual  elements. 

My  friend,  you  ask  about  our  sun.  Y^e  will  tell  you 
that  the  sun  does  not  shine  the  same  to  us  as  with  you,  but 
emits  a  glorious  halo  that  envelopes  all  our  scenery  with 
an  auroral  light  of  warmth,  which  is  more  genial,  because 
the  rays  are  not  so  strong  and  forcible,  and  our  scen- 
ery is  not  so  marked;  but  we  have  changes  which  are 
beautiful,  giving  us  a  variety  of  seasons,  which  are  marked 
by  departure  and  return  of  numerous  spirits,  who  are  ex- 
ploring the  different  regions  of  the  summer-land. 


27 

Our  art  ^'allories  aro  truly  wonderful,  and  as  you  pass 
from  spliero  to  sphere,  you  behold  a  great  change  in  the 
artistic  taste  and  stylo  of  the  different  ages.  Our  libra- 
ries also  aro  wonderful  with  the  literary  talent  displayed, 
which  had  no  recognition  on  eartli.  Arts  and  scienes  are 
developed  here  by  those  whose  talent  was  not  developed 
or  dreamed  of  upon  earth.  Here  is  the  classical  scholar, 
the  artisan,  the  poet,  the  explorer,  every  one  perfectly  re- 
presented with  a  home,  a  place  where  he  can  rest  and 
enjoy  the  grandest  visions  of  his  soul  theme. 

Our  choristers  are  forming  a  sphere  of  musical  instru- 
ments, which  will  give  forth  sounds  that  will  reverberate 
throughout  the  arches  of  heaven,  and  through  the  corri- 
dors of  earth,  giving  a  S3'stem  of  sounds  not  known  on 
earth,  but  which  will  be  recognized  as  from  the  spheres. 
From  the  scintilated  light  and  warmth  of  atmospheric 
change  which  will  come  over  your  concent)"ated  circles, 
formed  by  intelligent  mediums  who  have  been  developed 
through  the  different  phases,  until  connected  with  the  spir- 
itual element  of  our  sphere,  we  will  form  a  band  to  shout 
forth  those  strains  of  heavenly  sound  which  will  envelope 
tlio  element  of  your  sphere,  and  give  a  tribute  to  the  gal- 
laxy  of  hosts  which  will  attend  both  mortal  and  spiritual. 
These  great  gatherings  which  are  being  formed  on  earth, 
are  only  a  counterpart  of  our  heavenly  associations,  and 
are  calculated  to  form  a  nucleus,  whereby  we  can  attach 
force  to  communicate  it  with  earth.  They  do  not  under- 
stand that  they  conceived  the  idoa  from  above,  where 
angels  long  ago  organized  the  same  conditions,  in  order 
to  promote  the  universal  blending  of  all  the  power  of 
earth.  Tlius  we  work  by  magnetic  intlueuces  until  all 
is  symbolized  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven. 

In  our  blessed  abode,  are  homes  for  children  where  they 
are  nourished,  protected  and  educated  in  all  the  depart- 
ments of  life,  having  natural  guardians  or  chosen  ones, 
who  are  attracted  by  their  love  of  children  to  rear  them  to 
an  individuality  of  self-sustaining  power,  oftentimes  being- 
brought  to  earth  to  be  sustained  by  the  magnetism  of  the 
mother,  or  some  member  of  the  family.  An  infant  is  always 
held  within  its  mother's  magnetic  arms,  until  it  can  be 
sustained  without  it. 

Here  are  buildings  of  oblong  shape,  with  central  towers 
that  rise  to  immense  height,  surrounded  by  smaller  towers, 
these  again  by  balustrades;  buildings  grand  as  the  soul 
can  conceive  of,  in  which  there  is  gathered  everything  that 
is  necessary  for  information  and  instruction,  and  for  the 
happiness  of  children. 

The  beautiful  play-ground  surrounding,  is  a  wonder  of 
marvellous  beauty,  with  its  grottoes,  its  lawns  ami  fhnvers, 
its  miniature  lakes  and  islands,  all  fresh  and  beautiful,  with 


28 

pebbly  sliores,  and  shell}'  banks,  and  sandy  bottom  like 
glistening  snow,  where  rainbow-colored  fishes  glide  in 
the  crystal  waters,  giving  full  play  to  the  imaginative  soul 
of  children.  Here  you  will  find  groups  of  children  nestled 
in  some  sylvan  retreat  on  moss-clad  mounds,  surrounded 
by  towering  trees,  whose  wavering  branches  invite  the 
pure  atmosphere  from  flower-clad  vales  within  its  shady 
nook,  where  are  interlaced  beautiful  foliage  and  flowers, 
whose  perfume  charms  the  soul  with  joy.  Bands  of  children 
are  gathered  by  their  teachers  and  guides,  who  hold  joy- 
ous associations,  often  visiting  other  regions  to  luxuriate 
in  the  beauty  of  some  sylvan  shade,  where  tiny  barks,  like 
beautiful  sea-shells,  are  darting  over  the  sparkling  waters, 
filled  with  life  and  joy,  decked  with  beautiful  flowers  in 
varied  hue,  sparkling  and  dancing  like  fairy  spirits  upon 
some  emerald  lawn,  where  the  gold  and  silvery  sheen  en- 
velopes them  in  its  glorious  halo.  On  our  silvery  waters 
float  beautiful  homes  or  palaces  of  pleasure,  where  the  ar- 
tist, the  scholar  and  poet  can  gather  sweet  themes  from 
their  soul-thoughts,  blending  them  with  the  beautiful  of 
this  heavenly  land,  without  the  trials  or  sorrows  of  pain 
or  hunger  from  physical  needs. 

One  spot  in  our  sphere  is  held  as  a  great  retreat  by  ex- 
plorers and  visitors.  It  is  called  the  cave  of  song,  from 
the  flute-like  notes  that  reverberate  through  its  subter- 
ranean archways.  Sometimes,  solemn  and  pathetic,  at 
others,  joyous  and  enchanting  in  its  symphony.  At  times, 
you  feel  that  it  is  enchanted  ground,  by  the  musical  voices 
that  come  from  its,  at  other  times,  silent  chambers,  whose 
gorgeous  beauty  is  unrivalled  hy  outward  life. 

Here  are  wonderful  domes  hung  with  jewels  of  stalactites, 
which  flash  and  quiver  in  the  reflected  light  through  in- 
terstices, reflecting  on  the  water  beneath  in  cascades  and 
water  falls,  giving  it  a  grand  and  romantic  picture.  Here 
you  can  wander  through  wondrous  apartments,  giving  an 
opportunity  for  study.  Here  are  archways  with  fluted 
pillars  of  alabaster,  which  tower  to  an  immense  height, 
loading  to  domes  and  galleries,  where  statuary  of  the  most 
wonderful  conception  of  every  living  thing,  is  embodied 
and  at  rest  in  its  appropriate  place,  true  to  the  material  of 
outward  life.  Gems  of  great  brilliancy  flash  in  their  gor- 
geousness,  giving  a  life  and  warmth  to  this  enchanting 
cave  of  summer-land. 

When  you  wander  through  grand  old  castles  that  are 
here,  whose  consecrated  domes  have  towered  above  for  so 
many  ages  of  your  life,  then  will  you  wonder  at  the  gor- 
geous grandeur  of  those  tessellated  and  crystal  floors,  whose 
domes  and  arches  are  surrounded  with  the  wonderful  in 
art  and  science;  where  are  living  pictures  of  past  great- 
ness, in  form  and  expression -of  the  notable  of  all  time  and 


29 

splioros;  living,  shoeny  faces,  whoso  life-liko  appearance 
thrills  the  soul  with  wonder  and  admiration. 

When  we  pass  from  sphere  to  sphere,  we  float  at  will  to 
every  conceivable  place,  and  yet  we  have  corridors  of  beau- 
teous surroundings  which  wind  through  the  star-lit  canopy, 
where  we  may  rest  and  view  the  glorious  scenery  below/ 

As  we  pass  to  Vesta,  wonders  on  wonders  meet  our 
view.  Here  we  find  l3eautiful  grottoes — lovely  little 
nooks — with  every  luxury  that  the  soul  can  conceive  of, 
to  allay  its  desire.  Beautiful  bright  spirits  who  attend, 
and  as  we  approach,  sing  and  chant  their  melodious  songs. 
which  thrill  us  with  delight.  They  are  a  beautiful  race — 
so  small,  so  perfect  in  their  organizations — that  they  are 
wonderful  in  their  magnetic  life — so  perfect,  happy  and 
joyous  in  their  natures.  None  have  ever  been  seen  upon 
earth.  Vesta  is  a  beautiful  planet  which  shines  in  its 
orbit  or  soul-lit  canopy  with  great  beauty,  and  its  inhabi- 
tants partake  of  its  genial  life.  There  are  a  few  of  the 
inhabitants  who  come  to  attend  us  to  their  home,  where 
we  may  enjoy  for  a  while  the  beauties  of  their^lorious  life. 

But  we  will  not  attempt  now  to  describe  its  glories,  as 
we  are  only  to  give  you  a  knowledge  6t  our  earth's  spirit- 
ual habitation. 

We  have  now  given  you  a  feeble  picture  of  our  heavenly 
home.  My  dear  son  has  also  spoken  of  the  same,  but  in 
a  ditiferent  style.  We  have  endeavored  to  make  it  as  clear 
as  possible  to  the  mind  of  mortals. 

AH  who  have  been  a  long  time  in  spirit-life,  become  so 
enlightened  with  its  associations,  that  they  cannot  fully 
find  language  to  express  the  condition  of  heaven  in  the 
language  of  mortals.  We  wish  to  write  so  that  you  may 
comprehend,  and  yet  to  clothe  it  in  our  spiritual  language. 
The  language  of  earth  is  gradually  changing  as  the  soul  is 
cultivated  to  express  itself  in  all  its  fullness  and  beauty, 
without  restraint.  Whenever  the  soul-thought  has  been  re- 
strained in  language,  it  becomes  harsh  and  grating  to  the 
ears,  as  something  unstrung  or  out  of  place;  but  when  the 
spirit  is  rapt  in  the  heavenly  afflatus,  and  is  held  by  the 
angels,  it  then  gives  forth  the  harmonious  rytlim  of  the 
summer-land.  We  find  that  the  language  of  the  higher 
sphere  is  blending  with  that  of  earth,  and  the  recognition 
of  its  sweetness  and  adaption  links  us  as  one  in  soul-thought. 

We  are  now  to  leave  the  descriptive  part  of  our  home 
in  spirit-land,  but  will  endeavor  to  awaken  a  thought  of 
future  work  lor  mortals.  We  have  given  a  description  of 
these  scenes  to  give  you  a  comprehension  of  our  sphere 
and  its  conditions,  that  you  may  be  prepared  to  enter  upon 
your  new  field  of  work  with  an  earnest  desire  and  a  truth- 
ful research  into  all  life,  both  physical  and  spiritual.  We 
are  organizing  for  the  fulfillment   of  the    promise,  made 


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30 

wlien  my  beloved  sou  wrote  or  dictated  his  experience. 
And  now  dear  friend  of  earth,  we  will  add  that  we  shall 
be  with  you  in  all  of  your  undertakings  until  the  end,  and 
as  you  have  been  faithful  to  us  we  shall  be  true  to  you. 

We  have  given  in  one  combined  effort,  a  true  statement 
of  our  heavenly  home  as  we  hndit,  and  rejoice  to  know  that 
it  meets  with  a  kind  recognition. 

In  giving  this  testimony  to  the  world,  many  may  be  led 
to  disbelieve  mj  statements,  as  coming  from  the  spirit- 
land,  but  many  witnesses  will  bring  their  tribute  to  the 
truth  of  what  we  say. 

As  you  are  climbing  up  the  golden  stairway,  the  knowl- 
edge of  life  into  the  spiritual  realm  of  light  fail  not  to 
leave  your  land  marks,  by  noting  the  change  of  ascension. 
This  being  your  hrst  great  step,  we  hail  you  as  a  brother 
in  the  grand  cause  of  future  knowledge.  Much  will  be 
given  to  you  that  you  do  not  now  conceive.  Your  first 
acceptance  of  the  grand  truths  were  so  truthfully  recorded, 
that  you  will  reap  a  rich  reward.  We  have  now  faithfully 
portrayed  our  heavenly  home,  but  tongue  can  never  ex- 
press, or  mind  conceive  of  the  glories  which  surround  the 
different  spheres  or  belts  of  atmospherical  light,  and  the 
millions  of  happy  spirits  who  inhabit  them;  therefor  I  will 
not  further  attempt,  £is  I  have  already  endeavored  to  make 
plain  to  your  mind  the  true  condition,  and  to  clear  the 
doubt  of  an  uncertain  world  or  home  for  the  inhabitants 
of  spirit-life. 

We  are  workers  on  different  planes  of  intelligence  and 
are  bringing  this  fact  of  spirit  comm anion  and  individual 
spirit-life  to  the  knowledge  of  earth's  children.  Therefore 
Ave  ask  you  to  work  faithfully  in  the  good  cause  of  pro- 
gression out  of  the  thralldom  of  supestitious  fear  of  an  ar- 
bitrary God  and  a  demoniacal  Devil.  Hell  and  heaven 
are  mythical  terms  given  by  designing  minds  on  your 
earth,  by  which  to  frighten  into  subjection  the  human 
soul  and  make  it  subject  to  their  control,  and  in  so  doing 
have  resorted  to  superstitious  deities  in  order  to  intimi- 
date with  superhuman  poAver.  But  that  is  fast  fading 
away,  for  the  veil  is  rent,  the  light  is  streaming  through, 
and  soon  the  opening  day  v/ill  appear,  removing  all  dark- 
ness and  doubt  from  the  minds  of  the  people.  As  heaven 
and  earth  are  shaking  hands  through  the  portals  by  friends 
from  both  spheres,  the  devil  of  the  past  will  liee  and  a 
new  revelation  will  dawn  upon  the  world,  a  new  covenant 
be  made,  the  old  will  pass  away,  and  the  new  birth  of  a 
renewed  life  shall  be  given  to  all  the  world,  to  last  forever 
and  forever.  We  now  bless  you  and  give  you  tlie  light  of 
our  new  gospel  of  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be 
to  all  people  forever  and  ever, 

MAKY  WASHINGTON. 


22  8  8         X 


M.IFORNIA,  LOS  i^TV^FTE* 


.    .  OF  CALIFORKU 
AT 
LOS  ANGELE& 


3  1158  00420  5349 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIO'J/>L  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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